Female DJs Who Are Mixing Up the Electronic Music Scene

Electronic music is heavily dominated by men. Case in point, the top ten highest paid DJs in 2018 were all male, and that’s been the case ever since Forbes started keeping track in 2012.

While only four of DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs from 2017 are female, there are so many talented women out there making incredible dance music. If you don’t already know their names, stop what you’re doing and give these DJs a listen.

1. Nervo

Australian twin sisters Miriam and Olivia Nervo write, sing and produce. They came to fame in 2009, when they co-wrote the Grammy Award-winning single, “When Love Takes Over”, performed by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland and continued to write songs for other stars, like Kylie Minogue and Ke$ha. These days, they’re one of the most popular and highest paid female DJs in the business.

Fun fact: Although Miriam and Olivia are twins, they were born on different days.

2. Krewella

Another sister act, Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf got their start in 2007. Their sound includes everything from pop to their Pakistani roots, but they’re best known for their dance anthems, “Alive,” Team” and “Live for the Night.” Krewella is easily one of the best known female DJ groups in the business and their stage, the Crystal Volcano, is just about the coolest light display around.

3. Mija

Amber Giles, aka Mija, got her start playing weddings and other events in Phoenix, Arizona. She came to mainstream attention after playing the “sunrise set” at Bonnaroo, when Skrillex approached her. She then went on to play at Burning Man later that year and has since appeared at Miami Music Week, TomorrowWorld and Coachella. In September 2018, she competed at Red Bull’s Culture Clash in Atlanta, receiving critical acclaim for her genre-averse set.

4. Alison Wonderland

Alison, aka Alexandra Sholler, was named the New Artist of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards last year, but she’s been on the EDM scene since 2012. A classically trained cellist, Alison writes, produces, and sings. She’s known for her raw and deeply personal lyrics, which are on full display in her latest album, Awake.

5. Kittens

Lauren “DJ Kittens” Abedini is dominating the LA club scene and has toured with Kid Cudi. But, she isn’t just making strides for women with her own music. Kittens runs a series of all-female DJ workshops, in partnership with software company Serato and Scratch DJ Academy. She’s incredibly generous by donating 100% of her proceeds to women’s shelters.

6. Rezz

Canadian DJ Isabelle Rezazadeh began DJing at 16, but only recently started producing her own songs. After signing with mau5trap, she released her first full studio album, Mass Manipulation, which went on to win Best Electronic Album of the Year at the Juno Awards. Rezz’s second album, Certain Kind of Magic, was released last month.

7. Tokimonsta

A classically trained pianist, Jennifer Lee began DJing in college. She has released five studio albums since 2010, along with six extended plays and over a dozen singles. She’s also known for her brilliant remixes, including Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie” and more recently, Maroon Five’s “Girls Like You.”

8. Nina Las Vegas

Aussie Nina Elizabeth Agzarian got her start as a radio host. Until 2014, she hosted the “House Party” on Australia’s national radio station, Triple J. In 2015, she started her own music recording label NLV Records, prompting her to leave her radio gig. She continues to play club shows today, however, while focusing on curating her own showcase tour, NLV Presents.

9. Blond:ish

Canadian DJs Anstascia D’Elene Corniere and Vivie-ann Bakos started their DJ careers in Montreal, where they would promote and DJ at the nightclub Cherry. In 2015, they released their album Welcome to the Present and have since played at Burning Man, Ultra Music Festival and the BPM Festival.

10. Anna Lunoe

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Anna Lunoe got her start hosting a Sydney-based radio show. She then went on to open for acts like M.I.A, Diplo, A-Trak, and has appeared at Lollapalooza, Ultra Music Festival and EDC Las Vegas, where she was the first ever solo female act to play their main stage.